The GAA have today confirmed a host of new measures, among them that the mark will be a feature of Gaelic football from January 1st 2017.

With its introduction, a player can call a mark for a free possession if they catch the ball cleanly over the 45m line from a kick-out. As well as the mark, the GAA also confirmed that a new U17 championship will be played from 2017 on a knockout basis with the final taking place as part of a triple-header with one of the All-Ireland senior and minor semi-finals.

The GAA has also decided to discontinue the Allianz Football League semi-finals from next year, to have more 'double weekends' during the league where both codes are played and to bring forward the All-Ireland U21 hurling final so that it takes place before the senior final.